Universe Figure Competitor Naomi Gibbins Talks With Simplyshredded.com

How did you get started with bodybuilding?

Growing up with two older brothers whom I deeply respected, and wanting to follow in their footsteps I became heavily influenced by them and the activities they were involved in. I had a natural flare at school for sport and at aged 14 I forged the date of birth on my school library pass to read age 15 so I could join the gym, having been introduced to weight training at home by my brothers.

In 2006, aged 29 with 15 years of weight training experience, I took to the stage as a Figure Athlete for the first time.

Where does your motivation come from?

The core and essence of who I am comprises someone who needs to constantly find and overcome new challenges. Being a true Aquarius, wanting always to prove that I am unique and also being extremely stubborn and impatient, my character leaves me persistently wanting to achieve more. I love being happy and feeling excited by life and when these feelings are aligned within me, my mind becomes flooded with dreams, desires and goals and the motivation burns inside of me until I have completed them.

What is your training philosophy?

From a young age I learnt how to create my own success with a minimal support network. The knowledge of that strength required to drive through trials and tribulations and rise through the other side a winner has filled me with personal power and control over myself and the triumphs that accompany that dedication. My training philosophy therefore simply follows the choices I make and the dreams I dwell on. If I want something, I simply plan what I am required to do, focus on it, and attain it. Success will only come to me if I truly want something and when I honestly attract and focus on what I desire to receive.

If you have to pick only 3 exercises, what would they be and why?

If I was weight training and only able to carry out three exercises I would do one upper body exercise, one lower body exercise and one abdominal exercise.

My favourite upper body exercise is a seated row, a powerful move that targets the largest upper body muscle yet incorporates all supporting upper body muscle groups.
My favourite lower body exercise would be a deep barbell squat, hitting both quads, hamstrings and my gluts.
My favourite ab exercise is a kneeling rope crunch (full stack!!). Guaranteed to kill your life!

When trying to cut down do you prefer to use HIIT or just normal cardio?

I incorporate both into my weekly cardio. Some mornings I do long, slow, low intensity cardio such as walking on an incline or a slow run. Other mornings I do a powerful sprint interval session. After weight training I like hitting the stepper to finish me off and where possible I incorporate an interval session into that stepper workout.

What is your philosophy on nutrition?

I aim to eat clean all year round, with plenty of wholesome foods and variety in food colours. Food is our medicine and is responsible for the outcome of how we operate, physically, mentally and emotionally. I also include regular healthy cheat meals so my body does not adapt to a permanently low calorie diet and thus stunting my metabolism. Off season or on season I eat small, regular meals, each meal including fibrous or starchy carbohydrates, protein and good fats.

What are your favourite meals?

My favourite meal is my breakfast, rolled oats and egg whites. I love a rich variety of coloured vegetables, and eat lots of fish. Off season I love making healthy bodybuilding foods like protein pancakes, vegetable muffins, mixed salads, roast salmon and lots of fruits.

Favourite cheat food?

If by cheat foods you mean ‘bad bad cheats’ lol…it doesn’t happen very often but id have to go with nachos with extra everything and garlic bread!!

What supplements do you use that give you great results? How do you use them?

Before morning cardio I have carnitine. I take a multi vitamin, B-complex, Vitamin C, Probiotics, Vitamin E, Glucosamine and Chondroitin, Glutamine and Flaxseed oil with breakfast. Glutamine before training and an amino acid drink with glutamine after training.

Favourite Bodybuilders?

I love all bodybuilders amateur or professional because I have so much in common with them and they are the only people who can understand the mind and life of a bodybuilding athlete.

Favourite Workout Song?

I listen to such a variety of music, hiphop, r&b, rap, pop, rock, dance, techno….depends whether my iPod is on shuffle or genre!!! But I have to say when I hear anything by MJ, it makes me run faster!